Joseph Barends was born Sept. 18, 1837, a native of Holland, coming to America when fifteen years old with his father’s family. His mother died in Holland shortly before their emigration. They had a family of fourteen children, our subject being the eleventh child. He came to La Salle County, Ill., in January, 1858, and commenced life for himself by working on a farm, working on farms about eight years. In 1867 or 1868 he rented a farm on which he worked during the summers, and in the winter months worked in a coal mine, and in 1879 he bought ninety acres of land. His farm is situated on section 31, this township [Dayton]. He was married Feb. 10, 1861, to Hanora Hogen, daughter of Martin and Mary Hogen, both of whom are deceased. They have five children—Jennie A., born Feb. 10, 1862; William F., Dec. 17, 1864; M. Etta, Nov. 10, 1865; Carrie L., July 26, 1867, and Emma F., Dec. 11, 1871, the first three natives of Ottawa, and the last two born in Dayton Township. Mr. Barends is a member of the Odd Fellows order, and in politics is a staunch Republican. Mr. Barends is a self-made man and has by his own untiring industry and habits of economy acquired a competency. Mrs. Barends was born March 15, in the year 1840, being the youngest in a family of six children. Her mother died in Livingston County, aged seventy-five years, and her father died when she was a child.

History of La Salle County, Illinois, 2 vols. (Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co.,1886), 2: 85-86.